As winter begins to make way for spring, most baseball fan’s hopes begin to rise as the baseball season begins to slowly get underway. “Why not us this year” is commonly heard in various cities as they look forward to a new year and hopes that the local team will win it all.
In Minneapolis, there has been a lot of head scratching amongst fans. GM John Meeker left many baffled with his decision to trade away the teams top 2 pitchers in Albert Winnall and Pierce Adney to Boston for a 1st and 2nd rd pick in the upcoming draft, and LHP Jimmie Ablewhite, who fits into an organization with a lot of pitchers with suspect control. Meeker’s explanation was that the team needed to get younger and was looking to the draft in hopes of obtaining a young SP that has seemed to be available in the recent drafts, with sure signs of stardom. However, with the reports coming in for the draft class of 1912, it appears that the enthusiasm for a top pitcher has waned a bit looking at the prospects. Building up the pitching staff will be a top priority, as once top prospect SP Port Dilley, while being invited to spring training, has shown that poor work ethic has caused him to flame out with poor control. General Glynn and Wellington Smith have been penciled in as starters, the rest of the staff is up for grabs.
The infield is young, with 1B Raymond Stevenson and SS Curtis Rose both being 24, and with ST invitees Roy Warfield (24) and Meekers first draft pick, 2B Jack Taylor (21) finally getting an invite to ST, hoping to build on a good minor season last year. SS rose flirted with a batting title for part of the year to end up with a .322 avg. 2B Charles Masterson is 38, and put up a .344 avg…for the 66 games he was healthy for. 3B Gaston Manwaring has been solid, yet unspectacular for the Empire, and may have competition from switch hitting rookie Roy Warfield. Top prospect SS Dewitt Amesbury is a couple of years away from the big club, but team officials are pleased with his range and fielding, hoping to contunie that in a full season in AA.
The outfield was led by CF/RF Elmer Lawrence, who won the WL batting title with a .349 clip in his 2nd season and led the team with 59 RBI’s. CF James Roofe was a rookie surprise for the Empire, posting a .325 avg, but was hampered by injuries and missed half of the season. If he can stay healthy, the lefty hitter could be a force. Prospects Dillard Howard and Leonard Toll are getting a look, Toll specifically for his defense, but will start the year in the minors after ST.
Abner Turner and Archie Adams will continue to split the catching duties, neither being a standout , and not a lot of improvement in the minors pipeline.
This looks to be another rebuilding year for the Empire, with hope to the future if the 2 first round picks they get this year turn into solid major leaguers.